Install Linux on an Old Macbook

[GTP]

During a recent cleanup of all the old (still workable but unsaleable) PC's and laptop in my spare room, I've been installing Linux - specifically WattOS - on them to use as BOINC project cruncher's.
I'm using WattOS because it's based on Debian, it's incredibly low resource usage and only needing 512 mb ram.
It really makes these old PC's snappy. Most of them only have 1~2 GB ram so its ideal.
So far including my own systems running the BOINC Client and Manager I have 15 systems in my "pool."
All my computational stats are aggregated on BoincStatsBAM! so I can log into BoincStatsBAM! and see all my PC's together and their stats.

Anyway, my questions:

I found an old Macbook with a cracked screen that I want to add the pool. The screen is pretty bad but that doesn't matter because because once it's setup it'll just run BOINC.

It boots up but needs a password that was forgotten long, long ago.

Is it possible to format it and install WattOS on it? If so, how?

Any assistance appreciated.
TIA

 

[carmen617]

If it's an old Intel MacBook (how old?) it's most likely too old to have an activation lock, so the answer is yes. You just need to boot into the recovery partition, go to disk utility, and erase the drive. Then you can boot from your install media and do whatever you want with the system. Startup keys for Macs here: https://kapeli.com/cheat_sheets/Mac_Startup_Keys.docset/Contents/Resources/Documents/index

 

[Diggs]

Cool! Never heard of BOINC. I joined SETI at Home for awhile (but it toasted one of my machines I had working on it).

 

[Markverhyden]

It. has to be an Intel machine to run linux. There were Linux for PPC chips but those haven't been maintained in years.

What password? Is it on a macOS login screen? Or a black screen? Picture would help.

BOINC! Haven't heard that in years. I used to run several spare machines for the SETI Project beginning in 2000. First with their standalone package then using the BOINC software. When did you start this? It's quite possible you might get an unpleasant big surprise on your next power bill. With 5 machines running my bill went from some 30-40/month to just over 200. Not sure of the meters you all have but most in the US will allow you to get an idea. When I called the power company about the bill the rep was questioning me about what I had in the house. When he got to computers I mentioned the 5 running SETI. He guaranteed that was it. I looked at the meter with them on. The dial was spinning very fast, may be one rotation per second. Unplugged the computers and it was more like 1 rotation every 5 seconds.

 

[GTP]

Cool! Never heard of BOINC. I joined SETI at Home for awhile (but it toasted one of my machines I had working on it).

Were you using the Boinc Client and Boinc Manager,
Did you have the "computing options" set? I use local rather than the web settings (that you setup on your account pages.)
I set all mine to use 75% of the CPU's and 60% ram. Also "suspend when computer is in use."
If you let it run at 100% yeah it can overheat your PC.
BTW, Seti@Home was retired a couple of years ago.
I have MilkyWay@Home, Einstein@Home, GPUGrid, and Asteroids@Home.
They work well.

 

[britechguy]

Following on to @GTP's observations about SETI@home having gone into hibernation, their own website suggests: https://scienceunited.org

 

[GTP]

Following on to @GTP's observations about SETI@home having gone into hibernation, their own website suggests: https://scienceunited.org

Yes I saw that when I searched for Seti@Home as I wanted to add the project to continue with it.
I had so many "cobblestones" processed but sadly all gone now.

 

[GTP]

What password? Is it on a macOS login screen? Or a black screen? Picture would help.

I don't know the password. It booted to a login screen where it asked for a password but as stated I dont know it.
But that's irrelevant now, as I've erased the disk.

Now I just need to have it recognise the bootable WattOS.iso on my IODD.

 

[GTP]

If it's an old Intel MacBook (how old?) it's most likely too old to have an activation lock, so the answer is yes. You just need to boot into the recovery partition, go to disk utility, and erase the drive. Then you can boot from your install media and do whatever you want with the system. Startup keys for Macs here: https://kapeli.com/cheat_sheets/Mac_Startup_Keys.docset/Contents/Resources/Documents/index

Sorry I forgot to say it is a 2013 Macbook Pro Model number A1278.

Also the "S" key and the "+=?" key are missing and wont work.

I have WattOS .iso on my IODD set to "bootable" but the startup utility doesnt recognise it?

I managed to erase the HDD (I think) because it doesn't show up as an option in the startup utility.

 

[Markverhyden]

Sorry I forgot to say it is a 2013 Macbook Pro Model number A1278.

Also the "S" key and the "+=?" key are missing and wont work.

I have WattOS .iso on my IODD set to "bootable" but the startup utility doesnt recognise it?

I managed to erase the HDD (I think) because it doesn't show up as an option in the startup utility.

You can use a Wintel usb keyboard. The Alt key = Option key. Holding the that down brings you available boot devices. I haven't used my IODD in ages but seem to remember it didn't play nicely with the Apple eco system. So you might be better off just making a USB stick which should show up using the Option key.

 

[GTP]

You can use a Wintel usb keyboard. The Alt key = Option key. Holding the that down brings you available boot devices. I haven't used my IODD in ages but seem to remember it didn't play nicely with the Apple eco system. So you might be better off just making a USB stick which should show up using the Option key.

Thanks @Markverhyden
I didn't know I could use a normal keyboard, thanks for the tip.

Anyway, thanks @carmen617 I managed to erase the disk. When I tried to select my IODD it wasnt available in the startup utility.

So I shut it down and went to make coffee. When I came back I pressed the power button and several seconds later it presented me with the WattOS option screen!!

I booted to the WattOS "Live" desktop and chose the "Install WattOS" icon. It's now installing WattOS!

I'm a happy camper..

 

[GTP]

Update:
WattOS is installed, configured, an clipping along nicely!
I installed Boinc Client, Boinc Manager and Teamviewer Host.
It's showing up in my PC list on BoincStatsBam! too.

Thanks all for the help, very much appreciated.

 

[GTP]

Something has gone wrong. I can no longer connect to the internet. I had a great connection before (using cable) but now there is no connection.
Wifi wasn't detected by WattOS either.
There are no errors messages about it.
I can see that I have been assigned an IP Address etc but there is no connection to the internet.
Any ideas?
TIA